Samoyeds were originally bred for several different working tasks including hunting, sled hauling, and reindeer herding. Imagine the power that they would need for such tasks! Funnily enough, to look at, they appear as large teddy bears with a big white coat and a constant smile that seems to always appear on their faces. But how big does this dog breed get? What can an owner expect in terms of their height, weight, and general size? Let’s find out!

So, how big do Samoyeds get? Samoyeds are classified as medium-sized dogs, that typically grow to 21-24 inches in height, weighing between 35-65 pounds at their full adult size. Males are generally larger and heavier, tending to average between 45-65 pounds. Whereas the females are often lighter and are weigh as little as 35 pounds.

Either way, Samoyeds are still classified as a medium breed. The AKC (American Kernel Club) even describes them as being “substantial” that are powerful and somewhat tireless in terms of their energy.

One of the things that make the Samoyed unique is that there is no wolf or fox found in their gene pool.

The breed originated in Siberia and was bred to work in extreme conditions. They are truly pack animals by nature, so it comes as no surprise to learn that this breed thrives on companionship, attention, and love.

Let us now take a closer look at the average size of a Samoyed.

We’ll also be looking at when you can expect this dog to be fully grown and reach mental maturity if you do choose to get one.

Lastly, we will be looking at some of the important factors that play a role in their final size.

So, be sure to keep reading until the end to make sure you get all the information you need about this graceful dog.

What Is The Average Size Of A Samoyed?

The average size of the males and females of the breed are close in height. There seems to be more of a difference in the weight between the two genders, with the males weighing much more than the females.

A male Samoyed will generally grow to be between 21 and 23.5 inches in height, with their average weight being between 45 and 65 pounds.
The females are only slightly shorter, averaging between 19 and 21 inches. The female Samoyeds weigh in a lot lighter coming in between 35 and 50 pounds.

Obviously if you have two larger parents than your Samoyed is going to most likely come out at the top of the size list, just as if you have two that are on the smaller size, you can count on yours being smaller.

Also, just with other breeds, there are always going to be those dogs who fit outside the averages.

Is A Samoyed A Large Dog?

By looking at a Samoyed you may initially think that they are a large dog breed, however, they are in fact classified as a medium sized dog.

Interestingly, some of the male Samoyeds do meet the criteria to be classified as a large dog, but these are the exceptions, and the breed itself generally does not.

In order to be considered a large breed dog, the dogs need to be over 24 inches in height and weigh in at over 50 pounds.

While both the male and female Samoyed can weigh in at 50 pounds or over, only the male will reach heights of 24 inches, and that is at the top of their range.

Due to the size of the Samoyeds they can be considered large, or very large, medium sized dogs.

Their fluffiness just makes them look a little larger than they actually are. They seem so happy that I don’t think they mind being considered medium sized instead of large sized dogs.

Nonetheless, these dogs are powerful and do have a lot of natural strength.

We have to remember that they were bred to work and to carry heavy loads. Along with this strength comes agility, and a high work ethic.

Owners with young children must be aware that due to their size and strength, they can easily (albeit accidentally) knock over a small child.

Thankfully, this breed is generally friendly, gentle, and devoted in temperament. These qualities making them a suitable and loyal family companion.

At What Age Is A Samoyed Fully Grown?

As Samoyeds are larger than a lot of other breeds of dogs, they will take a longer time to reach their full adult size.

And while some smaller dogs have a narrow window of when you can expect them to stop growing, Samoyeds have a more extended window. Owners can expect them to be fully grown from anywhere between the time they are 9 months and 18 months old.

One thing to consider is that your Samoyed will reach their full size before they become mentally mature and can be considered ‘adults’. So be ready to have a larger puppy running around the house for a while!

Also, don’t be surprised if your Samoyed reaches their full height but then puts on some more heft and muscle for a few months afterwards.

Below we will take a look at the respective growth rates of both male and female Basset Hounds as they age:

Growth Of A Male Samoyed

The weight of a male Samoyed at 3 months should be between 17.5 and 25 pounds.
At 6 months, they will likely weigh between 32 and 46 lbs (pounds).
At 1 year, a male Samoyed should weigh between 42 and 63 lbs (pounds).

Age	Weight – Low Average (lbs)	Weight – High Average (lbs)
3 Months	17.5	25
4 Months	23	30
5 Months	28	42
6 Months	32	46
7 Months	35	52
8 Months	38	55
9 Months	40	57
10 Months	41	59
11 Months	42	61
12 Months	42	63
13 Months	43	63
14 Months	43	64
15 Months	44	65
16 Months	45	65

Growth Of A Female Samoyed

The weight of a female Samoyed at 3 months should be between 14 and 17 lbs (pounds).
At 6 months, they will likely weigh between 26 and 32 lbs (pounds).
At 1 year, a female Samoyed should weigh between 34 and 42 lbs (pounds).

Age	Weight – Low Average (lbs)	Weight – High Average (lbs)
3 Months	14	17
4 Months	18	23
5 Months	22	28
6 Months	26	32
7 Months	28	35
8 Months	30	37
9 Months	31	39
10 Months	32	40
11 Months	33	41
12 Months	34	41
13 Months	34	41
14 Months	35	42
15 Months	35	42
16 Months	35	42

As you will see, the weight of a Samoyed of the same age can vary – any weight along this average is still considered part of the breed standards healthy range.

One thing to mention is that you do not want want your Samoyed reaching their full size too soon. This can cause issues down the road, including joint pain and other joint issues.

One of the best things you can do is to talk with your veterinarian. They are most likely going to let you know what food to best feed your dog so that everything progresses in the best way possible.

What Age Does A Samoyed Mentally Mature?

Samoyeds take quite a long time to mentally mature. They can be physically grown for a year before they start behaving and acting like an adult dog.

This is not uncommon for large dogs, however it must be said that mental maturity comes a little slower than in some other medium size breeds.

That being said, both male and female Samoyeds mentally mature within the same timeframe as each other.

You can expect your Samoyed to mentally mature within two to three years of age, which is far later than when they physically mature between 9 and 18 months.

While you will have a puppy Samoyed for quite some time there are some signs that you can look for to see if they are starting to make their final steps towards adulthood.

The biggest change that you will probably notice once your Samoyed starts to mature is that their excitability goes down.

Samoyeds will always have energy, but how they express that energy will change. They will still be happy to see you but won’t necessarily jump up to see you.

They’re also less likely to chew on things randomly, so long as they are receiving the right amount of mental and physical stimulation throughout the day.

And, they won’t demand as much attention, being much happier to just lay down at your feet, rather than expecting you to entertain them non-stop.

How To Ensure Your Samoyed Reaches Their Full Size Potential

Not only do you want to ensure that your Samoyed reaches their full size potential, but you want to make sure that you help them get there safely.

Like we mentioned earlier, you don’t want your Samoyed reaching their full size too soon or growing past 24 inches in height as their bodies aren’t built for that.

The number one way to ensure that your Samoyed doesn’t get too large too quickly has to do with their food, both what you are feeding them and how much.

Only keep your puppy on on puppy food for the first year and then switch them over to adult food.

To come up with the best food for your particular Samoyed, talk with your veterinarian as they will have a better idea of which formula would best suit your particular dog.

They may suggest a large breed food, or one for joint mobility as Samoyeds are predisposed to getting hip dysplasia.

If you take your puppy off puppy food too soon they won’t get the nutrients they need to reach their potential full size, but if they stay on it too long, they will continue to grow at a rapid rate, which is why switching them over at a year is generally thought to be the sweet spot.

One other way you can help to ensure that you Samoyed reaches their full size potential has to do with spaying and neutering your dog.

If you spay or neuter your dog too early, then they have the potential of not being able to reach their full potential due to a lessening of hormones.

In most cases this will not hurt your dog.

However, if you plan on having a Samoyed as a working dog, you definitely want to give them every chance to reach their full size so putting off spaying and neutering until they are around two years old is recommended.

In Summary

Samoyeds are delightful dogs who are loyal, intelligent, and gentle, being affectionate, especially around children. They make great pets as they love being around their people, keeping them happy and warm.

Due to the amount of fur they have, Samoyeds sometimes look larger than they actually are.

These dogs are considered medium-sized dogs, not large breeds as many might think. Males can be up to just under two feet in height, with females only a couple of inches shorter at 21 inches.

When it comes to the weight of the two genders there is a bigger gap between them.

Males can get up to 65 pounds and females can make it up to 50 pounds. It’s not uncommon for males to be larger and heavier than females of the same breed, but 15 pounds for 3 inches does make a big difference.

When it comes to physical and mental maturity the Samoyed takes longer to reach adulthood than most medium-sized dog breeds and follows a path much like that of a large breed dog.

Samoyeds are fully grown between 9 and 18 months and reach their mental maturity between 2 and 3 years of age.

There are a couple of things you can do to ensure you help your Samoyed reach their full-size potential safely. The two biggest ways you can help your dog are through their food and spaying or neutering.

If you’re looking for a great family pet on the large size of medium, then a Samoyed may just be the perfect choice for you.

A lot of their perceived size comes from their fur and underneath all of that, they are medium-sized dog who loves being a family companion.

And they are a great breed to keep you warm in the winter, just like they did hundreds of years ago!

How Big Do Samoyeds Get? [Average Height, Weight and Size]